Animal Feeder

ABSTRACT

An animal feeder may be provided comprising a housing having a central axis and configured to receive feed. A feeding plate having an opening configured to allow a portion of an animal&#39;s head to penetrate the feeding plate may be configured to fit within the housing and traverse and rotate about the central axis. In addition, a locking ring may be configured to contain the feeding plate within the housing.

BACKGROUND

Animal feeders are used to supply animals with feed. Animal feeders may be fashioned in various ways. For example, animal feeders may comprise wire baskets attached to a wall or stand. The feed is then placed in the wire basket for the animal to consume. Another example of animal feeders may comprise a trough where the feed is placed for consumption. The wire basket's and trough's open design often causes problems because these devices do not restrict the feed amount the animal may eat in a given time period and allow the animal to waste feed by dropping it on the floor and/or urinating/defecating on the feed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Consistent with embodiments of the present invention an animal feeder is disclosed. The animal feeder may comprise a housing having a central axis and configured to receive feed. A feeding plate having an opening configured to allow a portion of an animal's head to penetrate the feeding plate may be configured to fit within the housing and traverse and rotate about the central axis. In addition, a locking ring may be configured to contain the feeding plate within the housing.

Both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are examples and explanatory only, and should not be considered to restrict the invention's scope, as described and claimed. Further, features and/or variations may be provided in addition to those set forth herein. For example, embodiments of the invention may be directed to various feature combinations and sub-combinations described in the detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this disclosure, illustrate various embodiments of the present invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a feeding ring oriented to a top plate having a locking ring;

FIG. 2 shows an animal feeder;

FIG. 3 shows a tab configuration for securing the locking ring to the top plate;

FIG. 4 shows a plan view of the tab configuration shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 shows a feeding ring having an adjustable opening;

FIG. 6 shows a section view of the feeding ring shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 shows a feeding ring oriented to a top plate;

FIG. 8 shows an animal feeder; and

FIGS. 9A and 9B show feeding rings having parameter flanges.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawings and the following description to refer to the same or similar elements. While embodiments of the invention may be described, modifications, adaptations, and other implementations are possible. For example, substitutions, additions, or modifications may be made to the elements illustrated in the drawings, and the methods described herein may be modified by substituting, reordering, or adding stages to the disclosed methods. Accordingly, the following detailed description does not limit the invention. Instead, the proper scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims.

Turning now to the figures, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an animal feeder may be provided. Consistent with embodiments of the present invention, the animal feeder may comprise a housing 110 configured to receive animal feed. Housing 110 may have a central axis 112 and a top plate 102 configured such that a feeding plate 104 may pass through an opening 114 located within top plate 102. Top plate 102 may be angled as shown in FIG. 2 to make it easier for the animal to eat from the animal feeder. For example, if the animal is a horse, top plate 102 may be angled so that when the horse is eating, top plate 102 may be perpendicular to the horse's mouth.

Top plate 102's angle may be dependent on the size of the animal being fed. For instance, if the animal is a horse, the angle may be set so that top plate 102 is better suited for the horse's head position. Other examples of top plate 102's angle being animal dependent including factoring the size of the animal being fed. For example, a small dog may require a smaller angle, relative to the ground, and a large dog may require a larger angle, relative to the ground.

Feeding plate 104 may comprise an opening 106 configured to allow an animal access feed located within housing 110. The size and/or shape of opening 106 may be dependent on the size of the animal being fed. For instance, opening 106 may be smaller and shaped differently for a small dog as opposed to a horse. In addition, feeding plate 104 may be configured so that feeding plate 104 may traverse central axis 112. For example, feeding plate 104 may be free floating within housing 110 and as the animal eats the feed, feeding plate 104 may traverse central axis 112 in a direction as indicated by arrows 116. For instance, once feed is placed within housing 110 feeding plate 104 may rest against top plate 102. As the animal eats the feed, feeding plate 104 may travel toward the bottom of housing 110 as shown by arrows 116.

Furthermore, feeding plate 104 may rotate about central axis 112. For example, as shown in FIG. 1 opening 106 is located at nine-o'clock, as the animal eats the feed, the animal may cause feeding plate 104 to rotate about central axis 112. For instance, as the animal eats the feed, feeding plate 104 may rotate clockwise and counter clockwise so that feed located beneath feeding plate 104, but not exposed by opening 116 becomes exposed and accessible by the animal.

Feeding plate 104 may be configured to be “free-floating” within housing 110. “Free-floating” may comprise the feeding plate 104's movement may be restricted by housing 110, top plate 102, and a locking ring 108. For example, after placing.feed in housing 110 feeding plate 104 may rest upon the feed. As the animal eats the feed through opening 106, feeding plate 104 may rotate as the animal moves its head or other body part in contact with opening 106. For instance, after placing the feed in housing 110 and covering the feed with feeding plate 104, opening 106 may be located at a first position (e.g. nine-o'clock). As the animal eats and moves its head (or noses around), feeding plate 104 may rotate in response to the animal so that opening 106 may be relocated to a second position (e.g. twelve-o'clock, two-o'clock, etc.) so the animal may access feed located under feeding plate 104 but not previously exposed by opening 106.

In addition, as the animal eats the feed, feeding plate 104 may traverse central axis 112 as indicated by arrows 116 and pivot as feed under a portion of feeding plate 104 is eaten. For example, as the animal eats the feed at one location (e.g. housing 110's front), feeding plate 104 may pivot to a new position as indicated by feeding plate 120.

During free-floating operation, feeding plate 104 may remain substantially parallel to top plate 102. For example, as feeding plate 104 rotates and pivots within housing 110, feeding plate 104 may remain in an orientation so that the animal may not be able to place its head, arms, legs, or other body parts under feeding plate 104. In addition, as feeding plate 104 rotates and pivots within housing 110, feeding plate 104 may remain in an orientation so that the animal may not be able to grip and/.or remove feeding plate 104 with its mouth, paw, arms, etc.

Furthermore, a motorized mechanism may be used to cause feeding plate 104 to rotate and traverse about central axis 112. For example, a motor (not shown) may be affixed to housing 110 and connected to feeding plate 104 via a shaft (not shown). The motor may then be configured to cause feeding plate 104 to rotate at a fixed speed to restrict the feed amount the animal may access in a given time period. For instance, the motor may cause feeding plate 104 to rotate at one revolution per hour. Note that while the shaft may cause feeding plate 104 to rotate at a fixed speed, feeding plate 104 may have freedom of movement along the shaft's axis. For example, the shaft may be fitted with a keyway so that when the shaft rotates, feeding plate 104 rotates. As feeding plate 104 rotates and as the feed beneath feeding plate 104 is consumed by the animal, feeding plate 104 may traverse central axis 112 unobstructed.

Also, the motor may cause feeding plate 104 to traverse central axis 112 at a predetermined rate. For example, the motor may be configured such that feeding plate 104 traverses central axis 112 as indicated by arrows 116 at a rate of one inch per hour or other speeds as determined by the animal's owner to restrict the amount of food the animal may access in a given time period. Note that while the shaft may cause feeding plate 104 to traverse central axis 112 at a fixed speed, feeding plate 104 may have freedom of rotational movement about the shaft's axis. For example, the shaft may be fitted so that feeding plate 104 may rotate freely. As feeding plate 104 traverses central axis 112, feeding plate 104 may rotate freely about central axis 112 unobstructed.

Note that while the motorized movement of feeding plate has been described as only traversing and only rotating, it is contemplated that the rotational and traversing motions of feeding plate 104 may be motorized. For example, the motor may be configured so that feeding plate 104 rotates at a given speed and traverses central axis 112 at a given speed. For example, the motor may be configured to cause feeding plate 104 to rotate at two revolutions per hour while traversing central axis 112 at one-half inch per hour.

In addition, the motor may have a controller configured to control the motor's operation. For instance, the controller may allow a user to alter feeding plate 104's rotation rate and/or its rate for traversing central axis 112. In addition, the controller may be configured to cause feeding plate 104's movement to stop and/or start under certain conditions. For example, if feeding plate 104 is traversing central axis 112 at a rate faster than an animal is eating the feed, the controller may stop feeding plate 104's motion.

Consistent with embodiments of the invention, top plate 102 may be removable from housing 110 so that feed and feeding plate 104 may be placed in housing 110. In these embodiments, feeding plate 104 may be configured so that feeding plate 104 will not fit though hole 114. Consistent with embodiments of the invention, feeding plate 104 may be secured within housing 110 by locking ring 108. In these embodiments, feeding plate 104 may be configured to pass through hole 114 and top plate 102 may not require removal to add feed to the animal feeder.

Locking ring 108 may be configured to attach to top plate 102 and overlap hole 114. By overlapping hole 114 feeding plate 104 may be allowed to pass through hole 114 during installation, but after securing locking ring 108, feeding plate 104 may no longer pass through hole 114. Examples of a locking mechanism for securing locking ring 108 to top plate 102 are shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. For example, locking ring 108 may contain a tab 302 configured to allow a tab portion 304 to rest beneath top plate 102 so that a portion of top plate 102 may be located between tab portion 304 and locking ring 108. To be able to get tab portion 304 beneath top plate 102, a receiving slot 402 may be located within top plate 102. (See FIG. 4). Once tab portion 304 has passed through receiving slot 402, locking ring 108 may be positioned so that tab portion 304 may rest against a stopping mechanism 306. A pin 308 may pass through top plate 102 to hinder tab portion 304 from being positioned by an animal at receiving slot 402. Note that pin 308 may be configured so that the animal cannot grip (i.e. bite or grip with a paw) pin 308 and remove it. For example, pin 308 may contain threads and locking ring 108 or top plate 102 may be tapped to receive pin 308. In addition, pin 308 may contain a head that may be substantially flat.

Embodiments of the invention may comprise at least one protrusion extending from tab portion 304 so as to grip top plate 102, for example, by being received by at least one indentation located on top plate 102. The protrusion received by the indentation may hinder movement of locking ring 108. Also, other mechanisms such as a magnet located on tab portion 304 and a magnet located on stop 306 may be used to secure the locking ring such that it does not rotate. In addition, a gap 310 formed by locking ring 108 and tab portion 304 may have dimensions slightly smaller than the thickness of top plate 102. The slightly smaller dimensions may create greater friction between top plate and locking ring 108. This increased friction may hinder movement of locking ring 108. Also, note that while the methods for securing locking ring 108 to top plate 102 have been described separately, they may be used in conjunction with one another or as stand alone methods for securing locking ring 108 to top plate 102.

While FIG. 1 shows opening 106 as having a fixed opening area, opening 106 may be adjustable. For example, FIG. 5 shows feeding plate 104 having an elongated opening 502 and various metering holes 510. FIG. 6 is a sectional view of FIG. 5. Located on top of feeding plate 104 may be an adjustment plate 506 similar to feeding plate 104 in that adjustment plate 506 may comprise an opening 504 and various increment holes 508. Opening 106's opening area may be increased or decreased in size by rotating adjustment plate 506 about point 516. Upon selecting a desired opening area for opening 106 a pin or other locking member may be inserted through any one of holes 508 and into one of holes 510 such that adjustment plate 506 rotation becomes fixed.

In addition to using pins as described with reference to FIG. 5, adjustment plate 506 may include protrusions and/or indentations and feeding plate 104 may also include protrusions and indentations such that the protrusion or indentation from adjustment plate 506 may lock into indentations or protrusions from feeding plate 104. Upon selecting the desired opening area for opening 106, a bolt or other connecting member may be used to affix feeding plate 104 to adjustment plate 506 so that the two plates may be locked together and not able to be separated by an animal. While FIG. 5 shows opening 106 having adjustable increments, opening 106 may have a continuous adjustment mechanism. For example, a bolt may connect adjustment plate 506 to feeding plate 104 by penetrating both plates at point 516 and when the bolt is tightened the rotation of adjustment plate 506 relative to feeding plate 104 may be restricted.

The animal feeder and its various components may be constructed of high impact plastics, corrosion resistant metals, other type metals, polymers, ceramics, or any other material capable of withstanding the abuse that may be inflicted upon the feeder by an animal. For example, the feeder may be used to feed horses and high impact plastic may be used such that should the horse kick the feeder, the feeder will not dent thereby restricting feeding plate 104's motion.

Turning now to FIGS. 7-9, an animal feeder may be provided. Consistent with embodiments of the present invention, the animal feeder may comprise a housing 710 configured to receive feed. Housing 710 may have a feed well 722 having a central axis 712. The animal feeder may further comprise a cover plate 702, configured to connect to housing 710, having an opening 714. A feeding plate 704 may have an opening 706 configured to allow a portion of an animal's head to penetrate feeding plate 704. Feeding plate 704's may be configure so that it will not pass through opening 714 when feeding plate 704 is not parallel to cover plate 702.

One instance when this occurs is when feeding plate 704's hydraulic diameter is greater than opening 714's hydraulic diameter. Feeding plate 704's hydraulic diameter is four times the surface area of a face 724 divided by the parameter of face 724. Opening 714's hydraulic diameter is four times the surface area of opening 714 divided by opening 714's parameter. For example, suppose opening 714 is a 12 inch by 12 inch square, then opening 714's surface are is 144 square inches and opening 714's parameter is 48 inches. Then opening 714's hydraulic diameter is 12 inches and the maximum distance between the corners is 16.97 inches. Suppose feeding plate 704 is a circle having a diameter of 18 inches, then feeding plate 704's surface area is 254.34 square inches and feeding plate 704's parameter is 56.52. Therefore, feeding plate 704's hydraulic diameter is 18, which is greater than opening 714's hydraulic diameter.

Another instance when feeding plate 704 will not pass through opening 714 when feeding plate 704 is not parallel to cover plate 702 is when feeding plate 704's parameter has a thickness so that feeding plate 704 will not pass through opening 714 when feeding plate 704 is not parallel to cover plate 702. For example, as show in FIGS. 9A and 9B, feeding plate 704 may comprise flanges 902 and 904. Flanges 902 and 904 may be configured such that when feeding plate 704 is at an angle (for illustration purposes 90 degrees) to opening 714, flanges 902 and 904 prevent feeding plate 704 from passing through opening 714. In this instance feeding plate 704's hydraulic diameter may be less than opening 714's hydraulic diameter and feeding plate 704 may not pass through opening 714. Note that in FIGS. 9A and 9B the curvature of opening 714 has been exaggerated for clarity.

Cover plate 704 may be connected to the housing through various connection methods including but not limited to a hinge(s) and hook(s). For example, cover plate 704 may include a hook and housing 710 may include a hook to be fastened to cover plate 704's hook or directly to housing 710. Also, housing 710's hook may fasten directly to cover plate 704.

Consistent with embodiments of the invention, feed well 722 may be connected to housing 710 via a hinge 726 and housing 710 may further comprise a mount 728. Mount 728 may be configured to allow a user to adjust feed well 722's position to housing 710's base 730

As describe above in FIGS. 5 and 6, feeding plate 704 may include an adjusting plate configured to alter the size of the opening. Feeding plate 704 may also include an adjustment pin configured to allow for incremental or continuous adjustment of the adjusting plate.

While certain embodiments of the invention have been described, other embodiments may exist. The invention's scope is indicated by the following claims. Furthermore, while the specification has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, the claims are not limited to the features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as examples for embodiments of the invention. 

1. An animal feeder comprising: a housing configured to receive feed, the housing having a central axis; a feeding plate having an opening configured to allow a portion of an animal's head to penetrate the feeding plate, the feeding plate configured to fit within the housing and traverse and rotate about the central axis; and a locking ring configured to contain the feeding plate within the housing.
 2. The animal feeder of claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises a top plate, the housing and top plate configured wherein the feeding plate remains substantially parallel to the top plate.
 3. The animal feeder of claim 1, wherein the locking ring comprises at least one tab configured to secure the locking ring to the housing.
 4. The animal feeder of claim 3, further comprising at least one locking pin configured to lock the at least one tab in place thereby keeping the locking ring from rotating.
 5. The animal feeder of claim 4, wherein the at least one locking pin is further configured wherein an animal cannot remove the at least one locking pin.
 6. The animal feeder of claim 1, wherein the opening is configured to be adjustable.
 7. The animal feeder of claim 1, further comprising an adjusting plate configured to alter the size of the opening.
 8. The animal feeder of claim 7, wherein the adjusting plate further comprising an adjustment pin, the adjustment pin configured to allow for incremental adjustment of the adjusting plate.
 9. The animal feeder of claim 7, wherein the adjusting plate further comprising an adjustment pin, the adjustment pin configured to allow for continuous adjustment of the adjusting plate.
 10. The animal feeder of claim 1, further comprising a motor, the motor configured to cause the feeding plate to traverse the central axis at a predetermined rate.
 11. An animal feeder comprising: a housing configured to receive feed, the housing having a feed well, the feed well having a central axis; a cover plate having an opening, the cover plate configured to connect to the housing; and a feeding plate having an opening configured to allow a portion of an animal's head to penetrate the feeding plate, wherein the feeding plate's parameter has a thickness so that the feeding plate will not pass through the opening when the feeding plate is not parallel to the cover plate.
 12. The animal feeder of claim 11, wherein the cover plate is connected to the housing via a hinge.
 13. The animal feeder of claim 11, wherein the cover plate further comprises a first hook and the housing further comprises a second hook, the first hook configured to engage the second hook when the cover plate is connected to the housing.
 14. The animal feeder of claim 11, wherein the feed well is connected to the housing via a hinge and the housing further comprises a mount, the mount configured to allow a user to adjust the feed well's position.
 15. The animal feeder of claim 11, wherein the feeding plate's hydraulic diameter that is greater than the opening's hydraulic diameter.
 16. The animal feeder of claim 11, wherein the feeding plate's hydraulic diameter is less than the opening’.
 17. The animal feeder of claim 11, further comprising an adjusting plate configured to alter the size of the opening.
 18. The animal feeder of claim 17, wherein the adjusting plate further comprising an adjustment pin, the adjustment pin configured to allow for incremental adjustment of the adjusting plate.
 19. The animal feeder of claim 17, wherein the adjusting plate further comprising an adjustment pin, the adjustment pin configured to allow for continuous adjustment of the adjusting plate.
 20. An animal feeder comprising: a housing configured to receive feed, the housing having a central axis and a top plate having a top surface; a feeding plate having an opening configured to allow a portion of an animal's body to penetrate the feeding plate, the feeding plate configured to fit within the housing and traverse and rotate about the central axis in a free floating manner; an adjustment plate operatively connected to the feeding plate and configured to allow a user to adjust the size of the opening in incremental values, the adjustment plate configured to receive an adjustment pin configured to restrict movement of the adjustment plate relative to the feeding plate; and a locking ring configured to contain the feeding plate within the housing, the locking ring having at least one locking tab, the locking tab configured to pass through a receiving slot located on the housing, the locking tab configured to receive a locking pin configured to restrict movement of the locking ring relative to the top plate and the locking pin configured to prevent an animal from gripping the locking pin. 